Ignition apparatus



Oct. 10, 1950 RQ M. PURDY ErAL IGNITION APPARATUS Filed July 5, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A TTOIQ/VE Y Oct. l0, 1950 Filed July 5, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS.

amd 722%@ ATTO'QNEY Patented Oct. l0, 1950 UNITI-:D I s'rA'rasf yParr-am' OFFICE IGNITION APPARATUS Application July 5, 1916, Serial No. 681,450

(Cl. 20o-24) z claims. l

This invention relates to electrical apparatus and more particularly current distributing devices or the like of the character adapted for use in the ignition systems of internal combustion engines.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel electrical current distributing device adapted for use in distributing high voltage current from a unitary source to a plurality of stations, such as the spark plugs of an internal combustion engine.

Another objection of the invention is to provide a novelly constructed ignition distributor wherein the danger of flash-overs from the electrodes to grounded parts is substantially minimized.

Still another object is to provide novel simplified apparatus of the above character wherein means are provided for facilitating the attachment of an instrumentality for testing the circuits between the distributor and the spark plugs.

A further object is to provide a novelly constructed current distributing device adapted to be connected to a shielded ignition system wherein means are provided for preventing the passage of gasses or moisture between Athe distributor compartment and the shielding for the distributing cables.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel adaptor whereby the output cables of an ignition distributor may be readilyv and easily connected with a testing device without disturbing the normal electrical connections.

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is tc be expressly understood, however that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a denition of the limits of the invention, reference for this latter purpose being had primarily to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through the center of one form of device embodying the features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a halftop plan view of one form of adaptor comprehended by the invention;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of said adaptor;

Fig. 4 is a half bottom view of said adaptor;

Fig. 5 is a half top plan view of the distributor block employed in the'device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of said rdistributor block, the section being taken substantially on line 6-8 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 7 is a half bottom view of said block.

A single embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings, by way' of example, in the formof a distributor adapted for use in distributing high tension electrical current to the spark plugs of an eighteen cylinder engine. In the form shown, the operating mechanism is enclosed in a metallic casing for radio shielding purposes. This casing comprises a cup-shaped base portion I0 which is adapted to be secured to the engine by means of stud bolts II, only one of which is shown. A tube-like body portion I2 is secured to .base I0 by a channel shaped strap I3, cr other suitable means and has suitable outlets I4 for the output cables most of which have not been shown in the interest of clarity. An opening in the upper end of body portion I2 may be closed by a `cover I5 which may likewise be secured in position by a channel shaped strap I6.

The central portion of casing member I0 is provided with an opening through which a shaft Il extends and is rotatably supported by suitable bearings which also resist any axial thrust of the shaft. On the upper end of shaft I1 is mounted a plate I8 by means of a nut I9 and a distributor rotor or finger 20 is secured thereto by suitable bolts or studs (not shown). The rotor consists of a block of insulating material having embedded therein a conductor 2|, one end of which terminates at the upper central surface of the rotor while the other end projects radially from the outer edge of the rotor to constitute a rotating electrode 22. The lower suface of rotor 20 is recessed for receiving the upper end of shaft II and nut I9 and the recess is lined with a cap 23 of insulating material to reduce the electrical stress between the shaft and conductor 2|, thereby reducing the corona effect.

Novel means are provided in base member I0 for minimizing the possibility of flash-overs between the casing and the electrodes to be hereinafter described. Said means as shown consists of a ring 24 of insulating material which is preferably flexible, such as soft rubber, neoprene or other synthetic rubber. Ring 24 is formed with a horizontal flange 25 and a vertical flange 26, the latter being disposed between the bottom wall or base of member I0 and a horizontal shoulder 21, while the flange 25 extends radially inward therefrom to a circle within the path of movement of electrode 22. Flange 25 is also preferably provided with an upwardly extending flange or hump 28 to provide an annular recess 29 for a purpose to hereinafter appear.

A distributor block or head 30 of suitable rigid insulating material is mounted in body portion |2 of the casing by4 means of a plurality of stud bolts 3|, only one of which is shown. Said block is positioned axially of the casing member by tubular bosses 32 through which bolts 3| extend and said bosses are preferably surrounded by suitable insulating sleeves 33. The block completely fills the opening in the bottom of said body member I2 and has an annular vertically extending flange 34 which slidably extends into base member i and projects downwardly between flanges 26 and 28 into recess 29 of member 24. A gasket 35 may be provided to insure a relatively tight fit between flange 34 and the inner wall of base member to eliminate or minimize the passage of gasses or moisture.

A plurality of circularly arranged electrodes 33 are preferably embedded but could be otherwise suitably installed in distributor block 30 and have portions 31 which project downwardly into spark gap relation with the outer end of rotating electrode 22. The embedded end of each of the conductors 36 extends across a vertical opening or recess 38 in block 30, the outer end of each of said recesses being somewhat conical and formed in an annular rib 39, the inner peripheral wall of which is also preferably conical.

Block 30 is also provided with a fabricated central input terminal 40 which may be of any suitable construction. As shown this terminal comprises a removable assembly 4| which is resiliently held in place and is adapted to have brushing contact with a spring 42 secured to the end of conductor 2|. A suitable socket 43 is provided in cover plate for a connector plug 44 whereby a supply cable 45 from a source of high tension current such as a magneto is brought into electrical engagement with terminal 40, 4|. Current may therefore be supplied through conductor 2|, 22 to electrodes 31 upon rotation of rotor 20.

Novel adaptor means are contemplated by the invention whereby the output cables of the distributor may be permanently connected with the distributor electrodes 36, 31 and selectively connected with utmost facility to an independent source of electrical energy through a circuit testing device. The adaptor as shown comprises an annular molded body 46 of resilient insulating material such as soft natural or synthetic rubber. The lower part of said adaptor body has a plurality of cone-like bosses 41 which extend into and yieldably engage the conical walls of recesses 38 in rib 39. A rib 48 is provided between each of said bosses for yieldably engaging with the upper surface of rib 39 to thereby segregate the outer cable compartment 49 from the distributor compartment in a substantially gas and mositure tight manner. This seal is further enhanced by a flexible lio 50 which engages the conical internal wall of rib 39. When the distributor compartment is supercharged the gaseous pressure therein tends to enhance the sealing effect of lip 55.

The adaptor body has openings 5| which extend in an axial direction therethrough, each opening passing through a boss 41. A radially extending opening 52 is also provided between a central portion of each of the openings 5| and the outer periphery of the adaptor body for receiving an output cable 53. A conducting insert 54 completely fills the lower portion of each opening 5| and is provided with a transverse bore which registers with an opening 52 to receive the cable 53. The latter may be held in position and electrically connected to insert 54 by a piercing screw 55 threaded intovthe insert from the upper end of opening 5|. The lower end of each of the inserts is electrically connected with one of the conductors or electrodes 36, 31 through a coil spring 56 which may be secured to either the insert or the electrode, as convenience dictates. The cables 53 may be led out through outlets I4 and thence through a shielding harness to the spark plugs.

The upper or outer ends of openings 5| are normally covered by a channel shaped protecting ring 51 which is preferably made of resilient insulating material. The walls of ring 51 preferably exert yielding pressure upon the outer surfaces of the annular rib 58 of the adaptor body. The latter has a radially projecting annular portion 59 which engages upwardly against a shoulder 50 in casing member |2 andthe parts are so dimensioned that the adaptor body and cap 51 will be slightly compressed between distributor block 33 on the one hand and shoulder 50 and coverplate |5 on the other hand when block 30 is pressed home against bosses 32. A

moisture and gas-tight seal between the cable compartment and the distributor compartment isv thus insured.

A testing device or instrument may be readily and easily connected with cables 53 for testing the circuit in which each of them is connected.

This connection may be effected by merely removing coverplate I5 with ring 51 and inserting an adaptable multiple plug connector of the instrument into the sockets 5|. Conductors from the testing device can thus be brought into engagement with terminal screws 55 which are electrically connected to cables 53. The testing device may be of any suitable type, such as one for measuring the resistance to ground of the circuit to be tested.

If the above described device is intended for use on a radial engine, for example, wherein a. so-called compensated circuit breaker cam is employed for varying the intervals between sparks, as measured by crankshaft rotation, the electrodes 31 may be unequally spaced to effect a similar compensation in the distributor.

There is thus provided a novelly constructed ignition distributor wherein means are provided for quickly and easily connecting a testing device for investigating the ignition circuits without disturbing the normal operating condition of said circuits. The novel result is accomplished without complicating the manufacture and installation of the various parts of the structure. The molded parts are in fact simplified and cooperate in a novel manner to segregate the distributor chamber from the compartment which houses the output cables 53.

Although only one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the specification, it is to be expressly understood that the same is not limited thereto. Various changes may be made in the design, size, arrangement and composition of the parts and materials shown and described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as it will now be understood by those skilled in the art. For a definition of the limits of the invention, reference is had primarily to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In electrical current distributing apparatus.

a metallic casing comprising a cup-like part. an insulating ring forming an annular channel and disposed in said casing, and a distributor block of insulating material having an annular flange slidably extending into said casing part and projecting into said channel.

2. In apparatus of the class described, a metallic casing comprising a cup-like part having an internal ange adjacent one end thereof, a flexible insulating ring having a cylindrical portion extending between said ange and the bottom of said casing part and a portion extending radially inwardly along the bottom of said casing part, and a distributor block having an annular flange slidably extending into said casing part into overlapping relation with said cylindrical portion of said ring, said block having circularlyarranged electrodes inside of said annular ilange.

3. In apparatus of the class described, an openended casing member, a distributor block having a plurality of circularly arranged electrodes therein, means for securing said block in said casing member, and an adaptor of resilient insulating material compressed between said block and an internal shoulder oi' said casing member, said adaptor having conductors therein, each of which is adapted to be electrically connected to one of said electrodes when said block and adaptor are in assembled relation, and said adaptor having radially and axially extending outlets for each of said conductors whereby two conducting cables may be simultaneously connected thereto in addition to the connection to one oi said electrodes.

4. In apparatus of the class described, a casing member, a distributor block having a plurality of circularly arranged electrodes therein, and a circular flange projecting from one face thereof, said ilange having spaced recesses for exposing the ends of said electrodes, means for securing said block in said casing member, and an adaptor oi.' resilient insulating material compressed between said block and said casing member. said adaptor having projections extending into the recesses in said block and conductors therein extending through said projections for electrical connection with said electrodes, and said adaptor having radially and axially extending openings for exposing portions of each ot said conductors whereby two conducting cables may be simultaneously connected thereto.

5. In apparatus of the class described, a distributor block having a plurality of circularly arranged electrodes therein and an annular nange projecting from one face thereof, said ange having a plurality of recesses therein for 6. In apparatus of the class described, a casing member, a distributor block secured in said casing member and carrying a plurality of spaced electrodes, and an adaptor of resilient insulating material compressed between said block and casing member, said block having an annular ilange thereon provided with a plurality of recesses, and said adaptor having a plurality of projections extending into and closing said recesses and conductors embedded therein for electrically connecting outlet cables to the electrodes carried by said block.

7. In apparatus of the class described, a ringlike adaptor of resilient insulating material having a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending projections at one end thereof, a plurality of similarly spaced recesses at the other end thereof in axial alignment with said projections and a plurality of radially extending openings intersecting the axes o! said projections and recesses, and a plurality oi' conductors embedded in said adaptor, each of said conductors extending through one of said projections into one of said recesses and having a transverse opening intermediate the ends thereof in alignment with one of said radially extending openings in the adaptor for receiving a conducting cable.

ROLLAND M. PURDY. HERMAN WINKLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent-z UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,037,492 Kettering Sept. 3, 1912 2,269,114 Keei'e Jan. 6, 1942 2,377,187 Schey, Jr. May 29, 1945 2,395,611 Coe Feb. 26, 1946 2,407,894 Miller Sept. 17, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 10,136 Great Britain May 3, 1904 125,752 Great Britain Apr. 24, 1919 214,254 Switzerland July 16, 1941 

